College-Wise College-Wise

Susan Taub, Ed. M. Independent College Counselor

Services

Student Needs Help

College Counseling Performing Arts Counseling Additional Services

College Counseling

EVALUATION AND COLLEGE SEARCH: $780

(May be credited toward a package)

I evaluate the student's academic, personal, and extracurricular background by reviewing his/her high school transcript (courses and grades), test scores (SAT, SAT Subject Tests, ACT, AP), current class schedule, extracurricular and personal activities and accomplishments, awards, and a student questionnaire. I review the student's college search criteria, academic and career interests, and list of colleges and estimate his/her chances of admissions to these schools. I provide suggestions of ways to highlight the student's strengths and accomplishments and address any weaknesses. I assemble a suitable list of colleges for the student based on my findings from the evaluation and the student's college preferences and interests. This is a finite service without any back and forth counseling, but results in an individualized detailed report.

SENIOR YEAR COLLEGE COUNSELING PACKAGE: $6,500

(6 - 12 months of counseling, ends June 30 of senior year)
This package includes the Initial Evaluation and College Search, finalizing the college list, development of a time line for the student's admissions process, help with the application process including brainstorming topics and reviews of multiple drafts for 8 full essays (up to 650 words; shorter essays can be added up to equal one 650 word full essay), preparation of an annotated activities and achievements resume, preparation of supplemental materials, choosing whom to ask for recommendations and submitting statements to teachers and guidance counselors to assist them in writing these effectively, suggestions for highlighting 'hooks' and strengths, suggestions of ways to express specific interest in each college, overall application review, suggestions for college visits and contact with college personnel, interview preparation including mock interviews, handling deferred or waitlist status, choosing from college acceptances, and support throughout the process for both the student and parents through unlimited email support.

JUNIOR & SENIOR YEAR COLLEGE COUNSELING PACKAGE: $8,000

(18 - 24 months of counseling, ends June 30 of senior year)
In addition to everything in the Senior Year College Counseling Package, this package can start at any point in junior year and also includes help in choosing a possible college academic focus or direction, summer activities planning, assistance with any summer program admissions processes (if applicable), course planning for senior year, testing schedule plans, college visit plans, extracurricular choices and initiatives, assistance with two additional essays (for a total of 10 full page essays up to 650 words; shorter essays can be added up to equal one 650 word full essay) through unlimited email support.

Sophomore, Junior & SENIOR YEAR COLLEGE COUNSELING PACKAGE: $9,500

(28 - 36 months of counseling, ends June 30 of senior year)
Includes everything in the Junior/Senior Package, aimed at those starting services during 10th grade.

9th/10th/11th/12th grades college counseling package: $10,800

(40 - 48 months of counseling, ends June 30 of senior year)
Includes everything in the Junior/Senior Package, aimed at those starting services during 9th grade.


Performing Arts Counseling

Students seeking arts college programs with specialized requirements - such as for musical theater, acting/drama, music, film, fine arts, dance or architecture - need to order a performing arts package and not a regular counseling package.

Senior Year Performing Arts College Counseling Package: $7,100

(6 - 12 months of counseling, ends June 30 of senior year)
For students going through the specialized, rigorous, and selective theater college admissions process, this package includes all the services of the regular Senior Package plus specific help with choosing an appropriate program (i.e. BA, BFA, or BM) and criteria for selection of a theater program, along with solicitation of artistic references and guidance through the audition process and preparation of special requirements, including audition materials, headshots, compilation of a theatrical resume, and artistic supplements to non-audition colleges.

Junior & Senior Year Performing Arts College Counseling Package: $8,600

(18 - 24 months of counseling, end June 30 of senior year)
Starting at any point in junior year, this package includes all that is in the Junior and Senior College Counseling Package, as well as any arts training plans that are applicable to college theater applicants. Due to the complexity of the performing arts college process, students should begin as early as possible.

Sophomore, Junior & Senior Year Performing Arts College Counseling Package: $10,000

(28 - 36 months of counseling, end June 30 of senior year) 
Starting at any point in sophomore year, this package includes all that is in the Sophomore, Junior and Senior College Counseling Package, as well as any arts training plans that are applicable to college theater applicants. Due to the complexity of the performing arts college process, students should begin as early as possible.

9th/10th/11th/12th Grades Performing Arts College Counseling Package: $11,300

(40 - 48 months of counseling, ends June 30 of senior year) 
Includes everything in the SophomoreJunior/Senior Arts Package, aimed at those starting services during 9th grade.

Theater Masks Dancer Sheet Music


Additional Services

ESSAY SERVICE: $450 Per Essay ala carte or $420 per Essay if add-on to package

(1 full essay up to 650 words, or shorter essays can be added up to equal one 650 word full essay)
From brainstorming topics to developing drafts incorporating tone, format and editing. Can be added to a College Counseling Package for essay assistance beyond the number of included essays, or purchased separately.

ESSAY Bundle: $1,200 ala carte or $1,110 if add-on to Package

(3 full essays up to 650 words each; shorter essays can be added up to equal one 650 word full essay) 
Can be added to a College Counseling Package for essay assistance beyond the number of included essays, or purchased separately.

HOURLY COUNSELING: $225/hour

For those students who want specialized help with just one or two specific aspects (i.e., resume, interviews, follow-up to an Evaluation and College Search report to refine the college list) of the college admissions process, or help with specific questions, hourly college counseling assistance is available via e-mail. Hourly counseling is not suitable for those seeking ongoing help with their college admissions process.


Payment Schedule

Fees for Evaluation and College Search, Essay Service, or Hourly Consulting are due when counseling services begin. For Senior Year Packages, 50% of the fee is due when the counseling period begins and 50% is due in 60 days. For Junior/Senior Packages, 50% of the fee is due at the start of the counseling period and 50% is due 6 months later. For Sophomore/Junior/Senior Packages or Freshman/Sophomore/Junior/Senior Packages, 50% is due at sign up and the balance of 50% is due 12 months later.  Senior packages commencing after August 1 for rising seniors are due in full when services begin. Senior Packages commencing after August 1 will incur an additional $500 fee.  Senior Packages commencing after Sept. 1 will incur an additional $800 fee beyond the package fee.  Essay Services that are purchased separately from College Counseling Packages, will incur an additional fee of $50 if starting less than 10 days before those essays/applications are due to be submitted to colleges. Essay Bundles that are purchased separately from College Counseling Packages, will incur an additional fee of $200 if starting less than 3 weeks before those essays/applications are due to be submitted to colleges.